9 months in the making - S50 swap [pics]

Same thing happened on my S52 swap. Got it in and running, put down some good dyno numbers and generally ran like a scalded dog.

It was a big enough disappointment I decided to just part it out. I'm reading more and more about headgasket failures with these engines. If I ever do another S5x swap, the motor will be rebuilt before it goes in.

Once someone comes up with an easy S54 swap, my pristine little 318 may get hacked into!

Srobmw picked up Botond and are on the way to get said E30. After all is said and done, B is supposed to swing by my house. Once I knock B out cold I will give a full review of the performance of S50 E30.

Okay, so pretty much a recap since the swap:
I've spent more time with the hood up than I have driven it.

So first was the headgasket. Then a heater core leak became apparent, immediately followed by a confirmation that the heater valves are also cracked. Wasn't dumping much coolant, until a couple of days ago, which meant I couldn't go down the street without having to refill. Cost: $200 for core + ~$100-120 for valves + labor

Wheel bearing is still bad as I haven't had money to replace it. Cost= ~2 hrs labor (about $180, already have part)

License plate light area is so rusted out that none of the lights work now as opposed to the 1 that was working previously, so I have to get that area fixed. Cost: $150 without paint, $250 with paint.

I wonder when I'll reach the point that I could just go back to preventative maintenance instead of required repairs; I miss those days. Great timing too, when I have no money.
When will it end????

I wonder when I'll reach the point that I could just go back to preventative maintenance instead of required repairs; I miss those days. Great timing too, when I have no money.
When will it end????

I wonder when you will reach the point where it would have been cheaper just to buy an e36 M3?? I think that might come first Your going to be putting a lot more stress on the 20 year old chassis, drive train and cooling system

I wonder when you will reach the point where it would have been cheaper just to buy an e36 M3?? I think that might come first Your going to be putting a lot more stress on the 20 year old chassis, drive train and cooling system

Says Mr. Supercharged, topless roadster driver.

There will be no E36 M3 in my near future because the only thing that'll spell is jacked up insurance. My car is already jack-my-insurance-up red, which is enough.

Okay, so pretty much a recap since the swap:
I've spent more time with the hood up than I have driven it.

So first was the headgasket. Then a heater core leak became apparent, immediately followed by a confirmation that the heater valves are also cracked. Wasn't dumping much coolant, until a couple of days ago, which meant I couldn't go down the street without having to refill. Cost: $200 for core + ~$100-120 for valves + labor

Wheel bearing is still bad as I haven't had money to replace it. Cost= ~2 hrs labor (about $180, already have part)

License plate light area is so rusted out that none of the lights work now as opposed to the 1 that was working previously, so I have to get that area fixed. Cost: $150 without paint, $250 with paint.

I wonder when I'll reach the point that I could just go back to preventative maintenance instead of required repairs; I miss those days. Great timing too, when I have no money.
When will it end????

Sorry to hear about the continuing issues. But you will get to those. How is it to drive? Is it all you hoped it would be? Have you stunned anyone yet with your sleeper?